Chapter 2: The Price of Kinship and a Vow of Vengeance

Seven years ago, a biting north wind swept through the vast courtyard, where a throng of people gathered.

“Ouyang Xiu! With irrefutable evidence piled against you, what more excuses do you have to offer?” From the center of the crowd, a powerful, aged voice boomed.

“Ouyang Xiu! Did you ever imagine this day when you conspired with outsiders to murder my son? You and that demoness spawned two abominable offspring! Were it not for your father’s sake, you would have been cast out of the family long ago!” On the main platform of the great hall, a white-haired elder glared, his eyes wide with fury, his face contorted in rage.

“Elder Brother, why waste words on this degenerate? Guards, execute him at once!”

This was the Ouyang main family’s estate, where those clad in Ouyang family attire stood in neat, orderly rows. From a distance, the place resembled a sacred ground, yet this sanctity was merely an illusion.

At that moment, a young man, grief-stricken and teary-eyed, watched his father on the verge of execution. Though tears streamed down his face, he choked back his sobs, refusing to utter a sound.

As his father faced his imminent end, his voice, thin as a wisp of smoke, spoke.

“I confess my guilt. Yet, considering my years of diligent service and merit to the Ouyang family, I implore you to spare my two children. They are innocent. I beg the Family Head to grant this wish!”

However, the Ouyang family members merely watched him with utter disdain, their eyes devoid of even a hint of pity.

“Spare them? Innocent? Hmph! They are but abominations born of abominations! What right do they have to cling to life? Guards, send the father and his daughters on their way together, so they might have companionship on the journey to the Underworld and not be too lonely.” The white-haired elder remained overbearing, issuing his cruel command.

“We obey the Family Head’s command!”

In an instant, Ouyang Xiyue and his younger sister, Ouyang Man, were brought to the execution platform. Ouyang Xiu watched his children being led to his side, yet he was utterly powerless.

“Elder Uncle! For the sake of our past kinship, I beg you, spare the children!” Having spoken, Ouyang Xiu immediately kowtowed to the white-haired elder on the main platform.

Thud… thud… thud… The sounds echoed relentlessly. From the force of his actions, Ouyang Xiu’s forehead was already bleeding profusely.

“Father, stop at once! Why humble yourself before such a man?”

Clutching his already unconscious younger sister, Ouyang Xiyue spoke through his tears. Yet, all was in vain; the Ouyang family had clearly resolved to execute both father and daughter.

“Execute them!”

At the Ouyang Family Head’s command, three burly men, wielding greatswords, took a deep swig of wine and spat it onto their blades. The already sharp greatswords, now moistened by the alcohol, exuded an even more chilling aura. Then, without mercy, they swung their blades.

In that critical moment between life and death, Ouyang Xiyue suppressed his tears, gazing at everything around him—familiar yet suddenly alien. ‘If I am to survive,’ he mused inwardly, ‘I swear I will repay twofold the humiliation inflicted upon my father today!’

Perhaps the gods had heard the young man’s heartfelt plea.

“Stop!”

A tender female voice halted the executioners’ movements. A man and a girl appeared as if descended from the heavens; the man was around sixty, and the girl, still young, was of a similar age to Ouyang Xiyue on the execution platform.

“Who dares to be so audacious, to act so impudently within my Ouyang family estate? Guards, seize them!” an elder roared, appearing significantly younger than the Family Head.

Upon hearing the elder’s command, the Ouyang family members were about to act, when suddenly—

“Audacious! Stop at once!” The Family Head, who had previously kept his eyes closed, entrusting matters to his younger brother, now snapped them open and bellowed fiercely.

At the Family Head’s single command, the Ouyang family members retreated to their positions, ready to obey. The Family Head soared into the air, his toes lightly touching down, instantly landing before the two unexpected intruders.

“I wondered who it could be; it turns out Her Royal Highness the Princess has graced us with her presence.” The Family Head hastily bowed in salute.

“Uncle Ouyang Xiu has shown me kindness; you may not lay a hand on him.” Having said this, the girl walked directly to Ouyang Xiu and helped him to his feet.

“Uncle Ouyang Xiu, Ling’er is here, and she will surely save you.”

A flicker of hope sparked in Ouyang Xiu’s eyes upon seeing the Princess, but he immediately shook his head in resignation.

“Ling’er… Your Royal Highness, I am a sinner. I only ask that you save my children; then I shall die without regret. Entrusting them to you would bring me peace. All these transgressions, I shall bear alone.” With these words, Ouyang Xiu once more fell to his knees, pleading desperately with the young Princess.

“But… Uncle Ouyang Xiu, what about you then…”

Before the Princess could finish her sentence, Ouyang Xiu interrupted her.

“Ling’er, listen to me!”

“Uncle Ouyang Xiu, Ling’er understands. Rest assured, entrust them to me, and I will care for them diligently.”

“Your Royal Highness, this matter is, after all, an internal affair of my Ouyang family. Such interference would be inappropriate.” The Ouyang Family Head looked at the Princess, a slow burn of anger igniting in his eyes.

“Uncle Jian.” The Princess simply called out, her voice light.

The sixty-year-old elder, who had stood beside the Princess with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open, instantly unleashing a bone-chilling aura of killing intent.

The Ouyang Family Head felt a cold, grim, overbearing, and terrifyingly powerful killing intent wash over him, like a monstrous beast lunging forth. He sensed his very thoughts growing sluggish within this potent aura, and even the sweat on his body seemed to freeze.

A sense of familiarity surged within the Ouyang Family Head; this man was none other than Jian Laifeng, one of the two current Sword Saints.

What astonished him further was that this palpable killing intent was not directed solely at him. Everyone present, apart from the Princess and the “criminals,” collapsed to the ground, frothing at the mouth.

‘No, this killing intent is too overwhelming; only I can barely withstand it. If this continues, disaster is certain. It seems I have no choice but to yield.’

The Ouyang Family Head let out a long sigh, deciding to spare these two “abominations” for the sake of the greater good, knowing there would be ample opportunities in the future.

“Your Royal Highness, you may take the children, but Ouyang Xiu must remain. I cannot make any further concessions.”

“Ling’er, your presence here is more than enough for me.”

The Princess forced a faint smile to her lips, looking at Ouyang Xiu as she spoke.

“Uncle Jian, stand down. Let’s go.”

With one last profound gaze at Ouyang Xiu, the Princess instructed Uncle Jian to take the already unconscious Ouyang Xiyue and Ouyang Man and depart.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Xiu watched the figures gradually disappear into the distance, murmuring inwardly: ‘Father! Your son has avenged you. I shall now go and join you. Jing’er, are you well? Xiyue and Man’er are safe; I am coming to find you. If you are still in this world, I hope you take care…’

Seeing his family members collapsed and unconscious, the Ouyang Family Head was consumed by rage. He glared at Ouyang Xiu, only to find the man smiling.

“Scoundrel! You dare to smile? Die!” The Ouyang Family Head roared in thunderous fury, bringing his blade down. Blood splattered instantly…

****

“Where am I? What happened to me?” Ouyang Xiyue slowly regained consciousness, his head feeling heavy and muddled as he vaguely surveyed his surroundings.

“Brother, you’re finally awake!” A figure sprang from the bedside, embracing the recently awakened Ouyang Xiyue.

“Brother… Father…呜呜呜…”

Ouyang Man sobbed uncontrollably, her tears gushing like a broken dam. Feeling his sister’s scalding tears, Ouyang Xiyue bit his lip, suppressing his profound grief, and gently patted her back, offering soft words of comfort.

Once his sister’s emotions gradually calmed and she drifted to sleep, Ouyang Xiyue could no longer hold back. Tears quietly traced paths down his delicate face. After all, as an elder brother, he had to remain strong before his sister… Even as tears fell, he stifled his sobs, for his father had once taught him that a true man sheds blood, not tears.

After a long while, Ouyang Xiyue gradually composed himself. At that moment, a blazing fury ignited within him, like a spark destined to become a raging inferno. Since the heavens had willed him to live, he vowed to avenge his father; he had to become even more powerful!

The next day.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for saving my life.” Ouyang Xiyue expressed his heartfelt gratitude. Afterwards, the Princess recounted the events that had transpired during his unconsciousness.

“I told you, don’t call me Princess; just call me Ling’er. From now on, I’ll call you Xi’er too.” Ling’er chuckled playfully.

“That might not be appropriate. Your Highness is of noble birth, while I am but a commoner.”

“Silence! I said call me Ling’er; this is your final warning. If you disobey again, I’ll forbid you from eating!”

Under the Princess’s persistent coercion, Ouyang Xiyue could only agree with a wry smile.

Ling’er was the Princess of the Sacred Spirit Continent, deeply cherished by the King. She was of a similar age to Ouyang Xiyue, even a month younger than him.

One day, Ling’er flashed a mischievous smile and declared.

“Hey, Xi’er, your silver hair is too striking; it will easily attract trouble later on. From now on, you’ll grow your hair long and wear women’s clothes. I’ll arrange everything to make you look more like a true girl.” From that day forward, Ouyang Xiyue’s journey into cross-dressing began.

“Wow!” When Ling’er saw Ouyang Xiyue’s appearance, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “So cute! Xi’er, you’re clearly a boy, yet look at your exquisite, flawless features—they fill me with envy! As the saying goes, ‘The hibiscus pales before a beauty’s grace; from the water palace, jade and pearl scents embrace.'” (TL Note: This classical Chinese poem extols the unparalleled beauty of a woman, suggesting that even the most beautiful flower, the hibiscus, cannot compare to her charm, and her presence in a palace fills the air with the fragrance of jade and pearls.) This ancient poem, softly uttered by Ling’er, left Ouyang Xiyue utterly stunned.

“You… you’re too much! I’m a genuine boy, you know!” Ouyang Xiyue protested with a petulant whine.

“Yes, yes, yes, I never said you weren’t a boy. Come on, try on this dress too.” With a beaming smile, Ling’er handed a small Lolita dress to Ouyang Xiyue.

“Ah! Have mercy on me, this is truly too embarrassing!”

As the saying goes, cross-dressing is either a one-time affair or an endless journey. As time flowed, years passed, and Ouyang Xiyue delved deeper and deeper into the path of wearing women’s clothes.

Initially, even donning a simple women’s garment filled him with immense shame. Yet, as the years settled, he could perfectly and effortlessly carry off everything from sweet Lolita dresses and flowing pleated skirts to playful mini-skirts. By now, he had fallen hopelessly in love with women’s attire.

During these years of growing up alongside Ling’er, Ouyang Xiyue formally acknowledged Jian Laifeng as his master and made a grand vow: one day in the future, he would surpass his teacher, become a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the continent, and exact vengeance for his father.

Thus, he embarked on a regimen of arduous daily training. Time, like a white steed flashing past a crevice, flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Ouyang Xiyue entered the vibrant spring of his fourteenth year.

Ling’er’s heart ached as she watched Xi’er and Uncle Jian leave early and return late each day, sometimes disappearing for weeks or even months, only to come back covered in wounds.

Yet, Ouyang Xiyue, knowing himself to be a man, declared that these hardships were nothing to fear.